Middle School is a time of unprecedented intellectual and personal expansion.
With courses designed to promote independence, students engage in hands-on integrative learning that fosters curiosity, perseverance, open-mindedness, empathy and the ability to communicate with accuracy and precision. New academic challenges and opportunities lay the groundwork for advanced Upper School coursework.
Middle School Curriculum
Literacy
Reading and writing skills are honed as students examine major works of poetry and novels like To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies. They learn to annotate effectively, examine literary techniques, and work with important grammatical concepts and vocabulary drawn from the literature as they construct persuasive written arguments.
With the integration of English and World History, students analyze different civilizations and communities through cultural storytelling. Students are introduced to the major skills and methodologies of historical inquiry, including critical thinking, reading, writing, research and public speaking. Creative projects provide stimulate students' imaginations while putting their research, essay writing and presentation skills into practice. The SPICE framework — the social, political, intellectual, cultural, and economic aspects — is used to evaluate the relationship between contemporary society and the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Students explore various regions of the world through different thematic lenses and how current cultures manifested over time.
Math
Middle School math courses prepare students for their progression to the highest levels of math in the Upper School and include Pre-Algebra A, Pre-Algebra B, Algebra 1A, Algebra 1 and Algebra 1 Honors.
Science
A multidisciplinary approach connects key topics in the life and physical sciences. Students leverage the natural laboratory found in the Chadwick canyon ecosystem to expand their repertoire of scientific skills while core concepts in chemistry, physics, biology and astronomy are integrated. Quantitative and problem-solving skills are sharpened through a variety of hands-on, inquiry-based and collaborative learning opportunities.
Global Language
Students develop their conversational skills in Spanish, French or Mandarin Chinese, learning to listen effectively, ask clarifying questions, read authentic texts and communicate about them in both written and verbal form. They also learn to understand the cultural context of the language and act appropriately within it.
Life Skills
Life Skills coursework helps students cultivate key health, wellness and social-emotional life skills. Topics include: study skills, stress management, resilience and coping strategies, friendship and ethical dilemmas, positive decision-making, communication, personal values, healthy relationships, personal safety, relational aggression and bullying, empathy, cyber-life management, self-esteem and peer pressure. Students examine their own experiences and relevant current events via class discussions, activities and digital presentations.
Explore the rich and diverse co-curricular activities Chadwick Middle School students get to experience.